I was shocked by how backward the 1996 Pontet-Canet was on the three occasions I tasted it in January. This wine possesses superb potential but it appears a decade's worth of patience will be necessary. The color is a saturated dark purple. With coaxing the wine offers aromas of black currant jam intertwined with minerals sweet oak and spice. A full-bodied wine it possesses layered concentrated sweet fruit with an elevated level of ripe tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035.

Tobacco, earth, smoke and dark berries make up the perfume. The third vintage produced under the supervision of Alfred Tesserson is full bodied and filled with crunchy, chewy Cabernet Sauvignon. In a slightly firm style, this chunky wine ends with cassis and a hint of greenness. The wines being made by Tesseron today bear no resemblance to the earlier, pre 2003 vintages. 90 Points Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=1996&wine=Chateau%20Pontet-Canet